Brian Williams May Have Spun Tall Tale to Jon Stewart

New York Times reports inquiry is expanding at NBC
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 25, 2015 9:31 AM CDT
Brian Williams May Have Spun Tall Tale to Jon Stewart
Brian Williams in 2012.   (AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca, File)

NBC's investigation into Brian Williams has turned up another possible fabrication, this one involving the unrest at Egypt's Tahrir Square, reports the New York Times. The newspaper doesn't have the specifics, but it puts forward one possibility: In February 2011, Williams appeared on the Daily Show and told Jon Stewart about his reporting from the square. At one point, referring to a pro-government group on horseback, he said he “actually made eye contact with the man on the lead horse.” He added that the man "went around the corner after I saw him; they pulled out whips and started beating human beings on the way.” The problem? It's not clear Williams was ever on the ground in the square.

The Times notes that NBC's own report on the unrest that day does not show Williams in the square, and subsequent reports and interviews suggest he was on a balcony overlooking it. The incident and at least five others, including this and this, are under review internally at the network as it decides whether to reinstate Williams once his six-month suspension is up. Journalists in NBC's Washington bureau don't want him back, reports the Washington Post. (More Brian Williams stories.)

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